Don't Buy an Expensive ERP Until You’ve Answered These 6 Key Questions

When it comes to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, the promise of seamless operations often collides with a harsh reality. Consider this: 

• 55% of ERP projects are delayed^*
• 75% go over budget^*
• Only 40% of businesses getting the benefits they expected^*

That’s a lot of frustration for something meant to streamline your business.
And it’s not just the results that disappoint. The process itself faces resistance—56% of employees resist ERP implementations due to disruption and complexity^*.

Before you invest in an expensive ERP, take a moment to pause and reflect. The right questions could save your business from becoming another statistic.

In this blog, we’ll help you evaluate your needs and explore alternative options that might be a better match (Hint: the powerhouse combo of robotic process automations and OneHub).

1. What Problems Are You Trying to Solve?

It’s easy to be dazzled by the promises of an ERP system: centralized data, streamlined workflows, and better decision-making. But before signing a contract, ask yourself: what specific problems are you trying to solve?

Without a clear understanding of your pain points, you risk implementing an expensive system that addresses issues you don’t have—or worse, creates new ones. 

For example, if your main challenge is slow data entry, a simpler tool like robotic process automations (RPAs) might solve the issue without overhauling your entire system.

Take stock of your current bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and goals. Only then can you determine if an ERP is a solution—or just a costly detour.

2. Do You Love Your Existing Apps Too Much to Give Them Up? Does It Integrate with Existing Apps?

Many businesses have invested heavily in apps that their teams know and love. If your employees already rely on tools like QuickBooks, Slack, or HubSpot, implementing an ERP might mean abandoning those systems in favor of less familiar options.

This shift isn’t just a hassle—it can be a morale killer. Employees forced to give up their favorite tools often face frustration and productivity dips. Instead of replacing what works, consider solutions that integrate with your existing apps seamlessly. More modular solutions can enhance what you already have, without forcing you to start from scratch.

3. Do You Need Full Functionality—Or Are You Overpaying for Unused Features?

ERP systems often come with an impressive array of features, but here’s the catch: most businesses don’t use them all. In fact, many organizations end up paying for functionality they never touch. This not only wastes money but also makes the system unnecessarily complicated for your team.

If you’re looking to automate specific tasks or streamline workflows, consider whether you need a full enterprise resource planning platform or something more targeted. Tools like OneHub paired with RPAs allow you to pay for exactly what you need while avoiding unnecessary complexity. 

Think of it as ordering à la carte instead of committing to the entire menu.

4. How Disruptive Will Implementation Be?

ERP implementations aren’t just costly, they’re time-consuming and disruptive to your day-to-day operations. From onboarding delays to process interruptions, these projects can take months—sometimes years—to complete. This downtime can hit productivity hard, especially for small to medium-sized businesses with fewer resources to spare.

By contrast, modular tools (like OneHub and RPAs) are designed to integrate with your existing systems quickly and efficiently. They eliminate the need for massive overhauls, ensuring minimal disruption while still delivering the automation and integration benefits you need.

5. What About the Learning Curve?

Even after an ERP system is implemented, the challenges aren’t over. Training your team to use it effectively can take months—or longer. And with steep learning curves, adoption rates can be slow, leading to frustration and lost productivity.

This is where RPAs shine. Instead of overwhelming your employees with entirely new software, RPAs work quietly in the background, automating repetitive tasks within the apps they’re already familiar with, all with little to no retraining.

6. Will You Become Captive to the Platform?

One of the less obvious pitfalls of an ERP system is the risk of vendor lock-in. Once you’ve invested significant time and resources into implementation, switching to another system or adapting your ERP to new needs can be costly and cumbersome. Many ERP platforms limit flexibility, forcing you to conform to their ecosystem rather than the other way around.

There are other options that keep you in control, allowing you to scale, integrate, or modify workflows as your business evolves. This modular RPAs approach keeps your options open and ensures that you’re never tied down to a single platform.

Why OneHub and RPAs Are Smarter Substitutes for Costly ERPs

For businesses hesitant to take on the financial and operational risks of a traditional ERP system, OneHub combined with RPAs offers a practical alternative. Instead of overhauling your entire infrastructure, these tools work with your existing apps to streamline workflows and eliminate inefficiencies.

• What problems are you trying to solve?
  OneHub and RPAs allow you to target specific pain points with tailored automation, avoiding unnecessary features and solving inefficiencies step by step.
• Do you love your existing apps too much to give them up?
  OneHub integrates seamlessly with tools like QuickBooks, Slack, and HubSpot, letting you keep the apps your team already depends on.
• Do you need full functionality—or are you overpaying for unused features?
  Instead of committing to a one-size-fits-all ERP, OneHub offers modular solutions, ensuring you pay only for the functionality you need.
• How disruptive will implementation be?
  With quick setup and minimal downtime, OneHub and RPAs can be implemented smoothly without derailing your day-to-day operations.
• What about the learning curve?
  OneHub works with your existing systems, allowing your team to continue using familiar apps while RPAs handle repetitive tasks behind the scenes.
• Will you become captive to the platform?
  OneHub’s flexibility ensures you’re never locked into a rigid system. You can scale and adapt the platform as your business evolves.

By combining the power of automation with the flexibility of modular integration, OneHub and RPAs deliver tailored solutions that help businesses scale efficiently without unnecessary costs.

The Bottom Line

Traditional ERPs often come with high costs, delays, and unused features. 

Meanwhile, OneHub and RPAs offer a flexible, cost-effective alternative that integrates seamlessly with your existing tools while solving specific pain points.

Ready to streamline your operations without the headaches? 

Contact us today to see how OneHub and RPAs can transform your business.

^{*https://wifitalents.com/statistic/erp-implementation-failure/}